St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-04-17
THE OHIO CYCLONE.
Further Particulars From the
Devastated Region A Skating
Rink Utilized.

Devastated Region - A Skating
Rink Utilized.
WHEELING. W. Va, April 16.-The
origin of the whirlwind which devastated
a large section of Belmont county, Ohio,
yesterday afternoon has been definitely
fixed. A farmer living just north of Lloyds-
vile, a village sixteen miles west of this city,
saw a column of dust and leaves rise where
two depressionS i'll the rolling ground al
lowed two currents of wind to cross at right
angles. A little eddy started sucked up
leaves and dirt and momentarily increased
in size until it formed a column from the
earth apparently to the sky which ad-
yanced with fearful velocity through an
erratic course in generally easterly di-
rectlon, the larger and upper end keeping a
course more nearly straight and the lower
end, referred to by eye witnesses as the
tail, lashing about, striking house here
and demolishing it, and then not touching
the earth for 100 yards. When
the whirlwind struck st. Clairsville
it was split into two ascending and whirling
coumnS. united i'll a great mass of black
cloud in the heavens. The destruction at
st. Ciairsyille was, if anything. underesti-
mated by last nights dispatch. No ade-
quate idea can be conveyed in words of the
scene of ruin and desolation where the
tornado struck. The streets are strewn
with wreckage, and in some places the
roads were made for time impossible by
broken trees and fences. There was a
rush of sightseers to St. ClarSville to-day.
Telegraph communication being shut off
there was great anxiety to learn definitely
how bad the situation of affairs was. No
casualties were reported last night. To-
day the following are reported: G. W.
Troll. manager Of the Bellaire & st. Clairs-
vile railroad. has fractured arm. the re-
suit OF the storm: j. Riley. right leg broken
and internal Injuries; a little son of S. W.
Cochrane (colored) was fatally injured.
Mayor Davies, of st. Clarsville, to-day
sent out the following appeal addressed to
the mayors of Wheeling. Cincinnati. Cleve-
land, Columbus, Toledo, Dayton, SPRING
field. GAINESVILLE and Pittsburg and others
generally:
Our village has been visited by a terrific
cyclone. a large number of worthy people
have suffered loss Of property who are unable
to make repairs. The people of the village
who would be able to render assistance have
large losses of their own to meet. Aid is
needed. and any contributions sent to the
undersigned will be placed in the hands Of q
committee to see that they are used to assist
those unable TO help themselves.
At Martins Ferry the scene in and
around the devastated districts was a lively
one this morning, hundreds of amateur
and professional builders being busily en-
gagged in replacing roofs, strengthening
underpinning and lifting houses back on
their old foundations. The unfortunate
residents are apparently taking the matter
phiIosophically, and are making immediate
arrangements for rebuilding on their old
sites such of the houses as have been
totally demolished. Much damage was dis
covered to- day which, though the items are
small. increase the aggregate materially.
The distress here is even greater than at
st. Clairsville, the losers being in the most
cases working men. 4 meeting was held
this afternoon and a committee appointed,
with Mayor Kelar at its head, to admin
isfer to the wants of the sufferers. Means
sent the mayor will be well placed, as
nearly fifty families have 10 shelter except
what is afforded by skating rink.